Ubisoft bemoans extended current-generation console lifecycle

Suggesting that companies like Ubisoft have been "penalised" by a lack of new systems, Guillemot told Gamasutra that creativity is stifled by there being fewer consoles.

"What we missed was a new console every five years. We have been penalised by the lack of new consoles on the market.

"I understand the manufacturers don't want them too often because it's expensive, but it's important for the entire industry to have new consoles because it helps creativity.

"It's a lot less risky for us to create new IPs and new products when we're in the beginning of a new generation.

"Our customers are very open to new things. Our customers are reopening their minds - and they are really going after what's best."

He continued: "At the end of a console generation, they want new stuff, but they don't buy new stuff as much. They know their friends will play Call of Duty or Assassin's Creed so they go for that. So the end of a cycle is very difficult."

Ubisoft is currently working on titles such as Assassin's Creed 3, ZombiU and Watch Dogs.

Ubisoft's E3 presentation was voted 'Best Conference' at Digital Spy's Best of E3 Awards, while Watch Dogs was dubbed the best new game.